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pselden 's review for:
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Scarlet Letter is a tough, complicated read. Slut-shaming and light implications of witchery are bullshit. Not cool mid-1800s. Not cool today. Expected? Yes. Cool? No.
Cue the scene: A woman is publicly shamed for her sexuality, but her story is told through the moralistic eyes of a 19th-century dude (Hawthorne) because... of course it is. Hester Prynne’s quiet strength is undeniably powerful, though at times, frustrating. But her story is heavy (see boulder reference below) with all the heavy-handed judgment laid down by the pearl-clutching Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
This wasn't my first read of The Scarlett Letter. I remember reading it in high school and being pissed off back then that women seem to pick up the liability tab most of the time for expressing sexuality or freedom of any type. So, I knew how the story ended, but that didn't keep me from wondering if and when the villagers might tie boulders around the feet of Hester and Pearl to see if they might float.
Witch? Witch? [*gestures around vaguely]
WITCH! [*points every time to strong, independent women.]
Strict religious and misogynistic beliefs impacting women's struggle for individuality and freedom of expression in the face of rigid societal expectations to conform and be quiet, small, and "good" as defined by men?
🤔
It seems nothing much has changed.
Cue the scene: A woman is publicly shamed for her sexuality, but her story is told through the moralistic eyes of a 19th-century dude (Hawthorne) because... of course it is. Hester Prynne’s quiet strength is undeniably powerful, though at times, frustrating. But her story is heavy (see boulder reference below) with all the heavy-handed judgment laid down by the pearl-clutching Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
This wasn't my first read of The Scarlett Letter. I remember reading it in high school and being pissed off back then that women seem to pick up the liability tab most of the time for expressing sexuality or freedom of any type. So, I knew how the story ended, but that didn't keep me from wondering if and when the villagers might tie boulders around the feet of Hester and Pearl to see if they might float.
Witch? Witch? [*gestures around vaguely]
WITCH! [*points every time to strong, independent women.]
Strict religious and misogynistic beliefs impacting women's struggle for individuality and freedom of expression in the face of rigid societal expectations to conform and be quiet, small, and "good" as defined by men?
🤔
It seems nothing much has changed.